Extreme Heat

Summer is what South Carolina is known for. With all the fun in the sun to be had, it's also when the potential increases for heat-related injuries. Heat injuries are preventable. Follow these simple recommendations to stay safe in the summer sun:

Age: Individual who are between 18-24 are at the highest risk. Risk of involvement in a fatal crash for individual who are 18-24 is nearly 4x greater than any other age group.

Seatbelts: Seatbelts prevent deaths in 42% of all potentially fatal crashes. Add an air bag to the buckled seatbelt and you increase your odds of surviving the crash to 47%.

Alcohol: An intoxicated driver is 15x more likely to be involved in a crash and to be fatally injured than a sober driver. About 48%of all traffic fatalities involve an intoxicated or alcohol impaired person.

Fatigue: Drivers between the ages of 18-24 are at special risk with over 56%of fatal crashes involving fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel.

Location: Statistics show that travel on interstates is safer than two lane roads. However, the fatality rate for travel on roads where high speed is possible increases the fatality rate by 30%.

Speed: The faster a car is going, the more distance and time it takes the driver to stop. Speeding also reduces the amount of time a driver has to react, and reduces the ability to safely negotiate the road.

1. Don’t drink and drive

2. Use a designated driver

3. Wear seatbelts

4. Obey the speed limit

5. Don’t drive when you’re tired

6. Take rest breaks

7. Adjust speed for conditions

8. Don’t follow too close

9. Maintain your vehicle

10. Drive defensively

11. Avoid cellular phone use while driving.

RECREATIONAL SAFETY

When starting a fitness regimen or new exercise, start slowly

Choose exercise appropriate for your age and conditioning

Start with warm-up

Finish with cool down

Know your exercise limits

Dress appropriately

BICYCLE SAFETY

Bicycle crashes result in 800-900 deaths per year with 90% of bicycle-related deaths involve collisions with motor vehicles.

Before you ride:

Inspect your bicycle for serviceability

WEAR A HELMET

Inflate tires properly

Check your brakes

When you ride……..

See and be seen

Carry a backpack with essential repair tools

Avoid riding at night

Ride single file with traffic and obey traffic signs

Use hand signals

Stay alert for road hazards

Watch for motorists

Stay out of driver’s blind spots

JOGGING SAFETY

Pace yourself

Good running shoes are essential

Always jog against traffic

Be seen while running

Finish with cool down

Wearing headphones is common, but can be dangerous because music via headphones interferes with your awareness of whats around you.

WATER SAFETY

Drownings are one of the leading causes of death every summer in South Carolina.

Know the weather conditions - Summer weather can go from sunny and perfect to severe very quickly in South Carolina. Check the forecast before water activities begin and frequently during. Have a NOAA weather radio close by.